Side curtain airbag directional deployment apparatus

ABSTRACT

At least one guide member extends longitudally along at least a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. At least one guide ramp directs deployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface of the one or more trim pieces adjacent the openable passage. The interior trim stucture covers the stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to an application Ser. No. 11/694,406entitled “REAR PILLAR TO CENTER PILLAR TRIM JOINT CONNECTION FOR REARSEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG SIDE CURTAIN DEPLOYMENT” filed contemporaneouslyherewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a side curtain airbag directionaldeployment apparatus for directing deployment of the side curtain airbagthrough an interface joint between one or more trim pieces to a positionalong a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent to a rear seatlocation of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

It is generally known for conventional airbag deployment to occurthrough a headliner assembly to an upper trim interface structure.However, for a coupe version vehicle, the headliner formation at therear is not possible due to manufacturing limitations. It would bedesirable to provide a side curtain airbag deployment apparatus todirect deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface jointdefined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. It would bedesirable to provide a side curtain airbag deployment apparatus thatincluded at least one guide member extending longitudinally along atleast a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. It would be desirableto provide a side curtain airbag deployment apparatus that included atleast one guide ramp directing deployment of the side curtain airbagtoward an openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trimpieces. It would be desirable to provide a side curtain airbagdeployment apparatus that surrounded the side curtain airbag on threesides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface ofone or more trim pieces adjacent an openable passage. It would bedesirable to provide a side curtain airbag deployment apparatus thatincluded a generally U-shaped cross section.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for guidingdeployment of a stowed side curtain airbag along a side wall of apassenger compartment of a vehicle can include at least one trim piecedefining at least a portion of an openable passage allowing deploymentof a side curtain airbag, and at least one guide member extendinglongitudinally along at least a portion of the stowed side curtainairbag. The guide member can include at least one guide ramp directingdeployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passagedefined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide membersurrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbagdeployment opening facing a rear surface of the trim piece adjacent theopenable passage.

In an interior trim structure for deployment of a side curtain airbagalong a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seatlocation of a vehicle, a group of low-retention force projections andcomplementary interlocking apertures can be formed along abutting firstand second edges of a rear pillar trim piece and a center pillar trimpiece to temporarily secure an interface joint defined between theabutting first and second edges along the trim pieces with respect toone another when in a closed position. The interface joint can define anopenable passage through the interface joint between the first andsecond edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag. At least oneguide member can be provided to extend longitudinally along at least aportion of a stowed side curtain airbag. The guide member can include atleast one guide ramp directing deployment of the side curtain airbagtoward the openable passage defined at least in part by first and secondtrim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on threesides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface ofthe trim pieces adjacent the openable passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a rear pillar trim piece and aninterface joint with a center pillar trim piece;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the interface joint between the rearpillar trim component and the center pillar trim component including alow-retention force projection of one trim piece receivable within anaperture formed in the other trim piece;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a locating and guidingprojection formed on one trim component releasably engageable within alocating and guiding aperture formed in the other component; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded rear view of the interface jointdefined between first and second edges along a rear pillar trim pieceand a center pillar trim piece to define an openable passage along theinterface joint, allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag along asidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of atwo-door coupe style vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an interior trim structure 10 is illustratedfor covering a stowed side curtain airbag 12, while allowing deploymentof the side curtain airbag 12 along a sidewall 14 of a passengercompartment 16 in a vehicle 18. The interior trim structure 10 caninclude a first trim piece 20 having at least one aperture 22 formedalong a first edge 24, and a second trim piece 26 having at least onelow-retention force projection 28 receivable within the aperture 22formed in the first trim piece 20. The projection 28 is formed along asecond edge 30 of the second trim piece 26 and located in complementaryposition with respect to the aperture 22 of the first edge 24 of thefirst trim piece 20 to temporarily secure an interface joint 32 definedbetween the first and second edges 24,30 along the first and second trimpieces 20,26 with respect to one another when in a closed position 34,and to define an openable passage 36 along the interface joint 32between the first and second edges 24,30 allowing deployment of a sidecurtain airbag 12. By way of example and not limitation, the first andsecond trim pieces 20,26 can include a center pillar trim component anda rear pillar trim component. The center pillar trim component 20 candefine an interface joint 32 between adjoining first and second edges24,30 with the rear pillar trim component 26. The interface joint 32defines an openable passage 36 along the interface joint 32 between thefirst and second edges 24,30, allowing deployment of a side curtainairbag 12 through the interior trim structure 10 to a position along asidewall 14 of a passenger compartment 16 adjacent a rear seat locationof a two-door coupe style vehicle 18.

The at least one aperture 22 in the first trim piece 20 can include afirst group of apertures 38 for locating and guiding movement of thefirst and second trim pieces 20,26 with respect to one another. A secondgroup of apertures 40 can be provided for releasably locking the firstand second trim pieces 20,26 in the closed position 34 with respect toone another. The at least one projection 28 of the second trim piece 26can include a first group of projections 42 for locating and guidingmovement of the first and second trim pieces 20,26 with respect to oneanother in cooperating with the first group of apertures 38. A secondgroup of projections 44 can be provided for releasably locking the firstand second trim pieces 20,26 in the closed position 34 with respect toone another in cooperation with the second group of apertures 40. Inother words, the at least one aperture 22 and at least one projection 28can include a first group of apertures 38 and corresponding projections42 for locating and guiding movement of the first and second trim pieces20,26 with respect to one another, and a second group of apertures 40and corresponding projections 44 can be provided for releasably lockingthe first and second trim pieces 20,26 in the closed position 34 withrespect to one another.

The projection 28 can include an elongate, generally L-shaped, member 46having a locking tab 48 located on a distal end 50 for releasableengagement with a shoulder 52 defining a portion of the correspondingaperture 22. The at least one projection 28 can also include anelongated member 54 having a periphery 56 slidably engageable within aguiding surface 58 associated with the corresponding aperture 22 forlocating the first and second trim pieces 20,26 with respect to oneanother. The projection 28 and corresponding aperture 22 provide adesired fit and finish tolerance of the interface joint 32 between thefirst and second edges 24,30 when in the closed position 34.

At least one of the trim pieces 20,26 can include a fabric covering 60.The first and second trim pieces 20,26 can include a center pillar trimpiece formed of a high-pressure injection molded material defining alower garnish assembly, and a rear pillar trim piece formed of a lowpressure injection molded fabric covered material defining an uppergarnish assembly. A plurality of connector receiving pockets 62 can beprovided for securing the first and second trim pieces 20,26 to a bodyof the vehicle 18.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an interior trimstructure 10 for deployment of a side curtain airbag 12 along a sidewall14 of a passenger compartment 16 adjacent a rear seat location of avehicle 18 can include a group of low-retention force projections 44 andcomplementary interlocking apertures 40 along abutting first and secondedges 24,30 of a rear pillar trim piece 26 and a center pillar trimpiece 20 to temporarily secure an interface joint 32 defined between theabutting first and second edges 24,30 along the trim pieces 20,26 withrespect to one another when in a closed position 34, and to define anopenable passage 36 through the interface joint 32 between the first andsecond edges 24,30 allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag 12.Optionally, at least one locator guide projection 42 and complementaryreceiving aperture 38 can be formed along the abutting first and secondedges 24,30 of the trim pieces 20,26 to align the interface joint 32defined between the first and second edges 24,30 along the trim pieces20,26 with respect to one another in the closed position 34 and to guideopening movement of the interface joint 32 during deployment of a sidecurtain airbag 12. Alternatively, a group of locator guide projections42 and complementary receiving apertures 38 formed along the abuttingfirst and second edges 24,30 of the trim pieces 20,26 can align theinterface joint 32 defined between the first and second edges 24,30along the trim pieces 20,26 with respect to one another in the closedposition 34, and can guide opening movement of the interface joint 32during deployment of a side curtain airbag 12.

The low-retention force projection 44 can include an elongate, generallyL-shaped, member 46 having a locking tab 48 located on a distal end 50for releasable engagement with a shoulder 52 defining a portion of thecorresponding aperture 40. The locator guide projection 42 can includean elongate member 54 having a periphery 56 slidingly engageable with aguiding surface 58 associated with the corresponding aperture 38 forlocating the trim pieces 20,26 with respect to one another. Thecombination of projections 42,44 and corresponding apertures 38,40provide a desired fit and finish tolerance of the interface joint 32when in the closed position 34. A fabric covering 60 can be provided forat least one of the trim pieces 20,26. In one embodiment of theinvention, the fabric covering 60 can be provided on the rear pillartrim piece 26.

As seen in FIG. 1, a side curtain airbag 12 is initially installed abovethe center pillar trim component 20 between the upper edge and theheadliner 62. The stowed side curtain airbag 12 extends along the upperedge of the center pillar trim component 20 to be enclosed by the rearpillar trim component 26, so that the interface joint 32 defines anopenable passage 36 between first and second adjoining edges 24,30allowing deployment of the side curtain airbag 12 along the sidewall 14of the passenger compartment 16 of the vehicle 18. As best seen in FIGS.2 and 3, the side curtain airbag 12 is directed toward the inner surface64 of the rear pillar trim component 26 in order to disengage thelow-retention force projection 28 from the corresponding aperture 22,while the locating and guiding projections 42 cooperatively interactwith the locating and guiding apertures 38 to guide the opening movementof the rear pillar trim component 26 from the closed position 34, shownin solid line in FIG. 2, to the openable passage 36, as shown in phantomin FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of the invention includes anapparatus 100 for guiding deployment of a stowed side curtain airbag 12along a sidewall 14 of a passenger compartment 16 in a vehicle 18. Theapparatus 100 can include at least one trim piece 20 and/or 26 definingat least a portion of an openable passage 36 along an interface joint 32allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag 12. At least one guidemember 102 extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the stowedside curtain airbag 12 and includes at least one guide ramp 104directing deployment of the side curtain airbag 12 toward the openablepassage 36 defined at least in part by the at least one trim piece 20and/or 26. The guide number 102 surrounds the side curtain airbag 12 onthree sides to define an airbag deployment opening 106 facing a rearsurface 64 of at least one of the trim piece 20 and/or 26 adjacent theopenable passage 36.

The guide member 102 can be associated with at least one of a trim piece20, 26, a body bracket 108, a pillar bracket 110, or any combinationthereof. The guide member 102 positions the stowed side curtain airbag12 at a constant distance from a back side 64 of the covering trim piece20 and/or 26 along a corresponding length of the guide member 102. Theguide member 102 is shaped to follow a styling path of a structuralpillar 112 of the vehicle 18. The guide member 102 extends inwardly fromthe structural pillar 112 of the vehicle 18 toward a back side 64 of thetrim piece 20, 26.

The guide member 102 can include a generally U-shaped cross section 114.The U-shaped cross section 114 of the guide member 102 can include arear wall portion 116 spaced from the covering trim piece 20 and/or 26,and two side wall portions 118,120 extending from opposite edges 122,124of the rear wall portion 116 toward the covering trim piece 20 and/or26. Each side wall portion 118,120 defines an obtuse angle with respectto the rear wall portion 116 of the guide member 102.

The guide member 102 extends longitudinally along the structural pillar112 between a forward location 126 and a rearward location 128 withrespect to the vehicle 18. The guide member 102 can be formed with anenergy absorbing guide ramp 130 of sufficient strength to guidedeployment of the side curtain airbag 12 toward an interior passengercompartment 16 of the vehicle 18, while being formed to absorb energyfrom an impact originating internally from within the vehicle 18.

An interface joint 32 can define at least a portion of the openablepassage 36 located between a first edge 24 of one trim piece 20 or 26and a second edge 30. At least one trim piece 20 and/or 26 can include afirst trim piece 20 having at least one aperture 22 formed along thefirst edge 24, and a second trim piece 26 having at least onelow-retention force projection 28 receivable within the aperture 22formed in the first trim piece 20. The projection 28 is formed along asecond edge 30 of the second trim piece 26 and is located incomplementary position with respect to the aperture 22 of the first edge24 of the first trim piece 20 to temporarily secure an interface joint32 defined between the first and second edges 24,30 along the first andsecond trim pieces 20,26 with respect to one another when in a closedposition and to define an openable passage 36 along the interface joint32 between the first and second edges 24,30 allowing deployment of theside curtain airbag 12. The guided member 102 directs airbag deploymenttoward the openable passage 36 defined along the interface joint 32between the first and second edges 24,30.

The projection 28 can include an elongate, generally L-shaped, member 46having an locking tab 48 located on a distal end 50 for releasableengagement with a shoulder 52 defining a portion of the correspondingaperture 22. The projection 28 can include, alternatively oradditionally, an elongate member 54 having a periphery 56 slideablyengageable within a guiding surface 58 of aperture 22 for locating thefirst and second trim pieces 20,26 with respect to one another.

In an interior trim structure 10 for deployment of a side curtain airbag12 along a sidewall 14 of a passenger compartment 16 adjacent to a rearseat location of a vehicle 18, an embodiment of the invention includes agroup of low-retention force projections 44 and complementaryinterlocking apertures 40 formed along abutting first and second edges24,30 of a rear pillar trim piece 26 and a center pillar trim piece 20to temporarily secure an interface joint 32 defined between the abuttingfirst and second edges 24,30 along the trim pieces 20,26 with respect toone another when in a closed position, and to define an openable passage36 through the interface joint 32 between the first and second edges24,30 allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag 12. The embodimentcan include at least one guide member 102 extending longitudinally alongat least a portion of the stowed side curtain airbag 12 and including atleast one guide ramp 104 directing deployment of the side curtain airbag12 toward the openable passage 36. The guide member 102 surrounds theside curtain airbag 12 on three sides to define an airbag deploymentopening 106 facing a rear surface 64 of the trim piece 20 and/or 26adjacent the openable passage 36.

The guide member 102 can extend inwardly from a structural pillar 112 ofthe vehicle 18 toward a backside 64 of at least one of the trim pieces20 and/or 26. The guide member 102 can include a generally U-shapedcross section 114 having a rear wall portion 116 spaced from at leastone of the trim pieces 20 and/or 26, and two side wall portions 118,120extending from opposite edges 122,124 of the rear wall portion 116toward the at least one of the trim pieces 20 and/or 26. At least oneside wall portion 118,120 defines an obtuse angle with respect to therear wall portion 116 of the guide member 102.

The projection 28 can include a low-retention force projection 44 formedas an elongate, generally L-shaped member 46 having a locking tab 48located on a distal end 50 for releasable engagement with a shoulder 52defining a portion of the corresponding aperture 40. The projection 28can include a locating guide projection 42 formed as an elongate member54 having a periphery 56 engageable with a guiding surface 58 associatedwith a corresponding aperture 38 for locating the trim pieces 20,26 withrespect to one another.

According to an embodiment of the invention, an interior trim structure10 covers a stowed side curtain airbag 12 and allows deployment of theside curtain airbag 12 through the interior trim structure 10 to aposition along a sidewall 14 of a passenger compartment 16 adjacent to arear seat location of a two door coupe style vehicle 18. The interiortrim structure can include a center pillar trim piece 20 and a rearpillar trim piece 26. The rear pillar trim piece can be assembled to thecenter pillar trim piece. At least one projection 28 is receivablewithin, and releasably interlocking with, a corresponding aperture 22formed in one of the trim pieces 20 or 26. The projection 28 is formedalong a second edge 30 of another of the trim pieces 20 or 26. Eachprojection is located in a complementary position with respect to thecorresponding aperture 22 formed along the first edge 24 to temporarilysecure an interface joint 32 defined between the first and second edges24,30 when in an abutting relationship with respect to one another in aclosed position, and defines an openable passage 36 along the interfacejoint 32 between the first and second edges 24,30 allowing deployment ofthe side curtain airbag 12 through the interface joint 32. At least oneguide member 102 extends longitudinally along at least a portion of thestowed side curtain airbag 12 and includes at least one guide ramp 104directing deployment of the side curtain airbag 12 toward the openablepassage 36. The guide member 102 surrounds the side curtain airbag 112on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening 106 facing a rearsurface 64 of at least one of the trim pieces 20 and/or 26 adjacent tothe openable passage 36. The guide member 102 extends inwardly from astructural pillar 112 of the vehicle 18 toward a backside 64 of at leastone of the trim pieces 20 and/or 26, and two side wall portions 118,120extend from opposite edges 122,124 of a rear wall portion 116 toward atleast one of the trim pieces 20 and/or 26.

An operation, as the stowed side curtain airbag 12 is inflated fordeployment, the three side wall portions 116,118,120 of the guide 102direct expansion and deployment of the side curtain airbag 12 toward theback surface 64 of at least one of the trim pieces 20 and/or 26 applyingsufficient pressure in order to release the low-retention forceprojection 44 from the corresponding aperture 40. More particularly, thelocking tab 48 located on an outer end 50 is released from engagementwith shoulder 52 defining a portion of the corresponding aperture 40. Asthe interface joint 32 is opened to define openable passage 36, locatingguide projections 42 slidingly engage an outer periphery 56 with guidingsurface 58 associated with the corresponding aperture 38. After theinterface joint 32 has separated the two adjacent edges 24,30 withrespect to one another to define the openable passage 36, the sidecurtain airbag 12 continues expansion deploying through the openablepassage 36 formed between the two trim pieces 20,26. If desired, afabric covering 60 can optionally be provided for one or both of thetrim pieces 20,26.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

1. A curtain airbag deployment apparatus for a side wall of a vehicle,comprising: a first trim panel; a second trim panel; a headliner; anopenable passage including a first interface joint defined by the firsttrim panel and the second trim panel, and a second interface jointdefined by the first trim panel and the headliner; and an airbag guideconfigured to direct deployment of the airbag toward the openablepassage and to direct deployment of the airbag such that the airbagextends over the first trim panel when deployed; wherein the airbagguide is positioned along at least a portion of the first interfacejoint and along at least a portion of the second interface joint.
 2. Thecurtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstinterface joint is positioned rearward of the second interface joint. 3.The curtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airbagguide extends from a rearward end that is positioned along the firstinterface joint to a forward end that is positioned forward of the firstinterface joint.
 4. The curtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first trim panel is configured and arranged to conceal atleast a portion of a center pillar of the side wall of the vehicle. 5.The curtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secondtrim panel is configured and arranged to conceal at least a portion of arear pillar of the side wall of the vehicle.
 6. The curtain airbagdeployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first trim panel includes afirst peripheral edge and the second trim panel includes a secondperipheral edge, and wherein the first interface joint is defined by thefirst peripheral edge of the first trim panel and the second peripheralof the second trim panel.
 7. The curtain airbag deployment apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the first peripheral edge and the second peripheraledge are adjacent when the openable passage is closed, and the firstperipheral edge and the second peripheral edge are spaced apart when.the openable passage is open.
 8. The curtain airbag deployment apparatusof claim 6, wherein the second peripheral edge is positioned above thefirst peripheral edge.
 9. The curtain airbag deployment apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the airbag guide is configured and arranged to directdeployment of the airbag toward the second trim panel to force thesecond peripheral edge apart from the first peripheral edge.
 10. Thecurtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim 6, wherein the headlinerincludes a third peripheral edge, and wherein the second interface jointis defined by the first peripheral edge of the first trim panel and thethird peripheral edge of the headliner.
 11. The curtain airbagdeployment apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first peripheral edge andthe third peripheral edge are adjacent when the openable passage isclosed, and the first peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge arespaced apart when the openable passage is open.
 12. The curtain airbagdeployment apparatus of claim 11, wherein the airbag guide is configuredand arranged to direct deployment of the airbag toward the headliner toforce the third peripheral edge apart from the first peripheral edge.13. The curtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein theairbag guide is configured and arranged to direct deployment of theairbag between the first trim panel and the second trim panel, andbetween the first trim panel and the headliner.
 14. The curtain airbagdeployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airbag guide includes atleast one guide ramp for directing deployment of the airbag, toward theopenable passage.
 15. The curtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim14, wherein the airbag guide has a generally U-shaped cross-section thatincludes a rear wall portion that is spaced apart from the openablepassage, a lower wall extending from the rear wall toward the first trimpanel, and an upper wall extending from the rear wall toward the secondtrim panel and the headliner.
 16. The curtain airbag deploymentapparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the upper wall and the lower walldefine an obtuse angle with respect to the rear wall.
 17. The curtainairbag deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airbag guide is freefrom contact with the first trim panel and the second trim panel. 18.The curtain airbag deployment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airbagguide is free from contact with the first trim panel and the headliner.19. A side wall structure of a vehicle, comprising: a center pillar; acenter pillar trim panel having a first peripheral edge, the centerpillar trim panel configured and arranged to conceal the center pillar;a rear pillar; a rear pillar trim panel having a second peripheral edge,the rear pillar trim panel configured and arranged to conceal the rearpillar; a headliner having a third peripheral edge; an openable passageincluding a first interface joint defined by the first peripheral edgeand the second peripheral edge, and a second interface joint defined bythe first peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge; and an airbagguide configured to direct deployment of the airbag toward the openablepassage, the airbag guide being positioned along at least a portion ofthe openable passage and extending from a portion of the first interfacejoint to a portion of the second interface joint; wherein the airbagguide is configured and arranged to direct deployment of the airbagthrough the first interface joint and the second interface joint and todirect deployment of the airbag such that the airbag extends over thefirst peripheral edge when deployed.